OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to quantitatively assess the effectiveness of self-practiced qigong for treatment of essential hypertension. METHODS: Six major electronic databases were searched up to July 2006 to retrieve any potential randomized controlled trials designed to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of self-practiced qigong for essential hypertension reported in any language, with main outcome measures as systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP).

Results of 14 randomized controlled trials of acupuncture for chronic pain were pooled in a meta-analysis and analysed in three subgroups according to site of pain; and in two subgroups each according to type to trial, type of treatment, type of control, 'blindness' of participating agents, trial size, and type of journal in which results were published. While few individual trials had statistically significant results, pooled results of many subgroups attained statistical significance in favour of acupuncture.

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a systematic review of controlled trials for adolescent smoking cessation. METHODS: Online bibliographic databases were searched as of June 2002, and reference lists from review articles and the selected articles were also reviewed for potential studies. The methodology and findings of all retrieved articles were critically evaluated. Data were extracted from each article regarding study methods, intervention studied, outcomes measured, and results.

OBJECTIVE: Using metaanalysis to examine the effects of acustimulations on nausea and vomiting symptoms (NVS) in postoperative adult populations. METHODS: Metaanalyses of effects of various acupoints stimulations (AS) (including acupuncture, acupressure, and electrical stimulation) on NVS in postoperative adult populations were performed. Thirty-three quality randomized controlled trials (RCT) published over the past three decades were identified by evaluating the quality of randomization and treatment methods, and results were pooled using a fixed effects model.

OBJECTIVE: Using metaanalysis, we sought to determine acustimulation (AS) effects on postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in children. METHODS: Metaanalyses were performed on various acupoint AS effects including acupressure, acupuncture, laser acupuncture, and electrical stimulation (ETS) on PONV in children. On-line databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from 1966 through May 2005. In addition, the reference lists of reviewed papers were scanned for additional trials.

OBJECTIVE: We used meta-analysis to examine the effects of acustimulation (AS) on the prevention of nausea and vomiting in pregnant women (NVP). METHODS: Meta-analysis of effects of acustimulations (ie, acupressure, acupuncture, and electrical stimulation [ETS]) on NVP was conducted.

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a systematic review of controlled trials for adolescent smoking cessation. METHODS: Online bibliographic databases were searched as of June 2002, and reference lists from review articles and the selected articles were also reviewed for potential studies. The methodology and findings of all retrieved articles were critically evaluated. Data were extracted from each article regarding study methods, intervention studied, outcomes measured, and results.